The Darling Academy & Ladies Like Us

It is so very exciting for us when friends we have made over the years of running WWKD reach out to us to share ideas, talk about projects they are working on… But it takes on a whole new level of excitement when one of those friends has completed their project and turned their idea into a published piece of work. Allow us to introduce Alena Kate Pettitt, and The Darling Academy.

Alena has been a supporter, reader and friend of WWKD since the very beginning and has just written her very first book, Ladies Like Us. Ladies Like Us: A modern girl’s guide to self-discovery, self-confidence and love is a call to arms for young women who wish to discover what it means to be a lady. It breathes life into old-fashioned finishing school lessons, rejuvenating studies on poise, grace, dignity and decorum that so many girls are missing today.

The book is the first venture of The Darling Academy, Alena’s wider mission to encourage and support young women who wish to embrace a lifestyle free from the emotional and physical trappings of modern culture. The Darling Academy seeks to help girls to enjoy their femininity without feeling a need to hide it in order to get ahead.

The most exciting part of the book for fans of Kate is in how Alena has worked in the Duchess of Cambridge as a key figure in helping answer the central question of the book, which is what it means to be a lady. “The Royal Wedding started a quiet underground movement of young women. They want to copy Kate’s conservative fashion choices and understand how she caught a prince’s eye and gained a life so many of us dreamed of as young girls,” said Alena. “While her choice of dress and waif-like stature dominate headlines, a growing number of girls are looking to her grace and poise as inspiration. Ladies Like Us is less about balancing books on your head, or how to make a selection of canapés. It’s about living with grace, kindness and a sense of dignity every day, just like Kate”.

We are so proud of Alena and to celebrate her book launch, we are partnering with The Darling Academy to give away not one, but two copies of the book. Entries are open internationally!

Amanda is the Media & Operations Director for Effervescence Media Group (otherwise known as behind-the-scenes editor of What Would Kate Do?, Croissant Crumbs and The Refined Side). When she isn't blogging, she can be found with a nice glass of red wine or browsing a vintage shop. Her interests are varied and include vintage couture, etiquette, and the financial markets. She resides in Vancouver, British Columbia